Acknowledgements. Minimum standards for child protection in humanitarian action!

Transcription

1

2

3 Acknowledgements The Child Protection Working Group wishes to thank everybody who has collaborated on the development of these standards. Special thanks are due to the following agencies, most but not all of which are members of the CPWG, and whose staff played a central role in the drafting process: ChildFund Child Soldiers International Columbia University Danish Refugee Council Geneva Call Handicap International ICRC International Rescue Committee Islamic Relief Worldwide International Labour Organization Keeping Children Safe Norwegian Refugee Council Plan International Save the Children SOS Children s Villages Terre des Hommes UNDPKO UNHCR UNICEF War Child Women's Refugee Commission World Vision International Save the Children and Terre des Hommes each contributed a senior staff member to coordinate and manage the drafting process. Special thanks are due to these organisations, and to these two people, Minja Peuschel and Sabine Rakotomalala. Further thanks are also given to over 400 individual reviewers from all over the world whose comments on earlier versions of these standards improved who tested the standards to ensure their relevance and applicability in a wide range of humanitarian contexts. We thank these professionals for their input, and for their ongoing dedication to child protection. Finally, our deepest gratitude goes to the children around the world who inspire, instruct and encourage us in our humanitarian work.!"#$%$&'()&save the Children, Terre des Hommes, UNICEF *%+,-#%$&'()&KUKKA Studio."--%+/%$&0,/1/,2#)&Minimum standards for child protection in humanitarian action. Child Protection Working Group (CPWG) (2012). For feedback or suggestions for the improvement of this publication, please contact the Child Protection Working Group via 3//4) #%/!

4 Foreword In humanitarian settings across the world today, children are likely to The many risks facing these girls and boys have a devastating impact on their well-being, physical security, and future. Some children are killed or injured. Others face separation from their families and caregivers or recruitment into armed forces or armed groups; and far too many suffer sexual violence or other forms of exploitation and abuse. The protection of children from violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect is an urgent priority for all those working in humanitarian situations, including, of course, protection actors but also the broad range of sectoral specialists. Our efforts need to be quick, well planned and effective and we need to be able to measure whether they are reaching children and properly protecting them. Furthermore, in our humanitarian action, we need to ensure that we strengthen systems that will protect children in the longer term, when the emergency response is over. These long-awaited inter-agency minimum standards for child protection have the potential to transform the quality and the rigour of our work to protect children, and they will hold us to account against our commitments as humanitarians. We urge all those involved in humanitarian action to seize this opportunity, and to implement and promote these Standards. 82",+%&9"',# Coordinator Global Protection Cluster :;<=> >1+3,$&?31@,A2B Director C=<9 "

5 Table of ContentS Acknowledgements 3 Introduction 11 What is child protection in emergencies? The international legal basis for child protection in emergencies What is the purpose of these standards? How do these standards link with the Sphere Project and other standards? What does each standard contain? Who are the standards intended for? How were the standards developed and what are they based on? What is meant by minimum standards, and what happens if they cannot be met? How do I use the standards in my context? At what stage of humanitarian action do the standards apply? DE DF DG DH DH DI DJ KL KD KK KE Principles and approaches 25 Principle 1: Avoid exposing people to further harm as a result of your actions Principle 2: Ensure people s access to impartial assistance Principle 3: Protect people from physical and psychological harm arising from violence and coercion Principle 4: Assist people to claim their rights, access available remedies and recover from the effects of abuse Principle 5: Strengthen child protection systems Principle 6: Strengthen children s resilience in humanitarian action KH KI KJ KJ EL ED

6 Standards to ensure a quality child protection response 35 Standard 1 Coordination EH Standard 2 Human resources FF Standard 3 Communication, advocacy and media ML Standard 4 Programme cycle management MG Standard 5 Information management GK Standard 6 Child protection monitoring GJ Standards to address child protection needs 77 Standard 7 Dangers and injuries HJ Standard 8 Physical violence and other harmful practices IM Standard 9 Sexual violence JD Standard 10 Psychosocial distress and mental disorders JH Standard 11 Children associated with armed forces or armed groups DLE Standard 12 Child labour DDD Standard 13 Unaccompanied and separated children DDH Standard 14 Justice for children DKI Standards to develop adequate child protection strategies 133 Standard 15 Case management DEM Standard 16 Community-based mechanisms DFE Standard 17 Child-friendly spaces DFJ Standard 18 Protecting excluded children DMM

7 Standards to mainstream child protection in other humanitarian sectors 163 Standard 19 Economic recovery and child protection DGH Standard 20 Education and child protection DHE Standard 21 Health and child protection DIL Standard 22 Nutrition and child protection DIG Standard 23 Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and child protection DJE Standard 24 Shelter and child protection DJI Standard 25 Camp management and child protection KLE Standard 26 Distribution and child protection KLI Annexes and glossary 215

8 INTRODUCTION

9 What is child protection in emergencies? Group, is the prevention of and response to abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence against children. Thus, child protection is not the protection of all children s rights, but refers instead to a subset of these rights. requires urgent action. Effective emergency action can avoid the escalation of such an event into a disaster, which is seen as a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses and impacts that exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources, and which therefore requires urgent action. be a combination of both. They often have devastating effects on children s lives. They result in girls and boys being killed or injured, becoming orphaned, becoming separated from their families, being recruited into armed forces or groups, being sexually abused, becoming children with disabilities, being The child protection risks in an emergency will depend on factors such as: the numbers of children affected; the types of child protection problems; the level of organisation and stability of the state before and during the emergency; the country s capacity to respond; and the nature of the emergency. actors, whether national or community-based, and/or by humanitarian staff supporting local capacities. It also includes activities in other humanitarian sectors that have the effect of improving children s safety, even where this is #!

10 The international legal basis for child protection in emergencies The Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action are grounded in an international legal framework that regulates the obligations of the State towards its citizens and other persons in that State, and therefore references to relevant international legal instruments have been made under each standard. The standards do not, however, set out to provide an exhaustive explanation of the various legal instruments; instead, they provide a starting point from which humanitarian workers can seek more information if necessary. The international legal framework is mainly composed of three interrelated and mutually reinforcing bodies of treaty law: international human rights law, humanitarian law, and refugee law. International human rights law sets out the rights of persons, and applies both times of emergencies, but fundamental rights such as the right to life and the right not to be tortured can never be suspended. The responsibility of the States in different treaties or conventions (formal contractual agreements between States that carry legal obligations). It is important to know which legally binding on that State. International humanitarian law regulates the behaviour of combating parties protection for civilians. International humanitarian law can be found in the Geneva Conventions. Additional Protocol I of the Geneva Convention relates International refugee law deals with the rights and protection of refugees. Refugees are individuals who: D7 Are outside their country of nationality or normal residence K7 Have a well-founded fear of persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion E7 Cannot or do not want to be protected by that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution. There are some international standards referred to as soft law that are not legally binding. In other words, they cannot trigger State responsibility. Nevertheless, they are considered as morally binding, and they provide important guidance. #$

11 Four key principles set out by the CRC, and their relevance to humanitarian action: SURVIVAL AND DEVELOPMENT As well as children s right to life, humanitarian workers must also consider the effects of the emergency and the response on the physical, psychological, emotional, social and spiritual development of children. NON-DISCRIMINATION Emergencies often magnify existing differences and further marginalise those already at risk of discrimination. Humanitarians must identify and monitor existing and new patterns of discrimination and power, and tackle them in the response. CHILD PARTICIPATION Humanitarian workers must ensure that girls and boys are given space and time to meaningfully participate at all possible stages of an emergency preparedness and response. Boys and girls of different ages and abilities, and with different perspectives, should be supported to express their views in safety, and these views should be regarded with respect and taken seriously. Humanitarian workers must be aware of their own values, beliefs and assumptions about childhood and the roles of the child and the family, and avoid imposing these on children. They should enable developmentally appropriate ways of child participation, share power with children in decision making, and be sensitive to how children s participation can, when done poorly, upset children s social roles and power relations. THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD In all actions concerning children, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration. This principle should guide the design, monitoring, and adjustment of all humanitarian programmes and interventions. Where humanitarians take decisions regarding individual children, agreed procedural safeguards should be implemented to ensure this principle is upheld. #"

12 How does child protection fit within humanitarian action? There are threats to the safety and wellbeing of children in every emergency. For this reason, child protection is an important consideration in all humanitarian action, and child protection objectives are often an explicit component of humanitarian preparedness and response. HUMANITARIAN ACTION: The objectives of humanitarian action are to save lives, alleviate suffering and maintain human dignity during and in the aftermath of man-made crises and natural disasters, as well as to prevent and strengthen preparedness for the occurrence of such situations. Humanitarian action has two inextricably linked dimensions: protecting people and providing assistance (see Humanitarian response). Humanitarian action is rooted in humanitarian principles humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence. HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE: Humanitarian response is one dimension of humanitarian action (see Humanitarian action, above). It focuses on the provision of assistance in a given emergency situation. In the initial humanitarian response, urgent child protection needs in an emergency are likely to include interim care for unaccompanied and separated children, family tracing, quick interventions to prevent families from being separated, psychosocial support for distressed children and their families, and protection from different kinds of violence and risks such as recruitment into armed forces or groups or other forms of exploitation. In most cases, families and those from the affected community will naturally respond to these supplement these efforts. Humanitarian action for child protection also involves preparedness, including the strengthening of child protection systems before, during and after an emergency, to increase state, community, family and child resilience to the emergency and mitigate its effects. The international humanitarian system recognises child protection as life-saving, and as such child protection activities are included in the criteria of the UN s Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF). UNICEF is the lead agency for child protection within the cluster system, and child protection is embedded within the UNHCR-led global protection cluster. #%

13 What is the purpose of these standards? In 2010 the members of the global Child Protection Working Group agreed on the need for child protection standards in humanitarian settings, to tackle what was seen as a critical gap. The Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action have been developed to support child protection work in humanitarian settings. In such contexts, the standards are intended to: Establish common principles amongst those working in child protection, and to strengthen coordination between them Improve the quality of child protection programming, and its impact for children Improve accountability within child protection work Provide a synthesis of good practice and learning to date Enable better advocacy and communication on child protection risks, needs and responses. How do these standards link with the Sphere Project and other standards? The Sphere Project is an initiative aimed at improving the quality of humanitarian assistance and the accountability of humanitarian actors to their constituents, donors and affected populations. The Sphere Handbook, which comprises the Humanitarian Charter, four Protection Principles and a series of Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response, is a universal guide and reference for all humanitarian action. The handbook has been developed by humanitarians from a range of different a right to receive protection and assistance to ensure the basic conditions of life with dignity. The Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action are grounded in this same basic premise, and their structure is consistent with that of the Sphere standards. It is intended that the Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action be used in conjunction with the Sphere Handbook, and that they provide a complementary set of agreed Accordingly, references are made to the Sphere project throughout this handbook. #&

14 include: The UNICEF Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCCs, updated 2010) The ICRC s Professional Standards for Protection Work (ICRC, 2009) The Guiding Principles on Unaccompanied and Separated Children (Save the Children, UNICEF, IRC, ICRC, UNHCR, Word Vision, 2004) The standards also built on existing inter-agency policy and tools, namely: The IASC Guidelines on mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings (2007) The Minimum standards for education: preparedness, response, recovery (INEE, updated 2011) Working with people with disabilities in forced displacements (UNHCR, 2011) Further important resources were found on platforms such as the website for the Child Protection in Crisis (CPC) Network, the Better Care Network (BCN) and the Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA). Questions that were used to test and improve each standard include the following: adolescents? groups? of disabilities? systems? What does each standard contain? The Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action follow the structure of the Sphere standards. Each standard is accompanied by key actions, measurements (including indicators and targets), and guidance notes. Each standard describes in one sentence what should be achieved in one area of humanitarian action, to ensure adequate protection for children. #'

15 The key actions are suggested activities to help meet each standard. They are not necessarily applicable in all contexts but give an idea of the kind of steps to consider when the context allows. The measurements include two types of indicators, with targets, to use as signals indicating whether a standard has been achieved. Outcome indicators relate to the one sentence standard, whilst action indicators relate to some of the key actions for that standard. Standards have several indicators. Those working on child protection in the same context should agree which are most relevant and meaningful to use. In some contexts targets may need to be adjusted, and other adaptions may be necessary. Data should always be disaggregated at least by age and sex. Depending on the context further disaggregation may be helpful, for example by geographical location, (dis)ability, or population group. The guidance notes provide further information and advice on priority issues relating to the standard. Some provide practical suggestions, while others highlight ethical considerations or gaps in current knowledge. The references signal relevant international legal instruments relating to the standard, as well as useful guidelines and training materials. The references are not exhaustive, but rather are intended to provide a starting point for the search for more information, as needed. Who are the standards intended for? These standards are intended for use by those working on child protection or related areas of humanitarian action. This includes those working directly with children, families and communities; planners and policy makers; coordinators; donors; academics; and those working on advocacy, media or communications. It includes government personnel and those working in independent or multilateral organisations; and it may also include those working in the justice system and security personnel, as well as armed forces and groups. The standards also aim to support relationships of accountability between they receive, and through the provision of information and channels to complain if humanitarian assistance is not well provided. The following are some ways in which the standards can be used: To plan and cost humanitarian interventions To establish common and measurable expectations regarding the scope and quality of child protection services provided to children, their families and their communities #(

16 To establish agreement on common principles between different actors, such as the different members of a child protection coordination mechanism To monitor and evaluate the quality and effectiveness of humanitarian interventions, including those of peer and partner organisations To guide and evaluate the allocation of funding to partners. For example, the standards can be used as a reference for funding applications, contracts and partnership agreements To induct and train new staff or partners As a self-learning tool and a reference text for child protection workers and others To enable advocacy on child protection issues, and to brief decision-makers on child protection principles and priorities To motivate and enable those working in other sectors of humanitarian action to protect children better. How were the standards developed and what are they based on? There is currently limited evidence on which child protection interventions are most effective and appropriate in different contexts. These standards are therefore based on the expertise and experience of practitioners working in the sector today. The standards were formulated between January 2011 and September A team containing child protection practitioners, other humanitarians, academics and policy makers, based in different countries and organisations, worked together to develop an initial draft. This was done through careful review of existing policies, tools and learning from different humanitarian situations. Following this, the draft standards were reviewed for their relevance and applicability in a range of humanitarian contexts by practitioners at national Altogether, over 400 individuals from 30 agencies and 40 countries around the world contributed to the development of the standards. )*

17 What is meant by minimum standards, and what happens if they cannot be met? The standards set out a common agreement on what needs to be achieved in order for child protection in humanitarian settings to be of adequate quality. Those planning and budgeting for child protection in humanitarian settings should therefore use the entire set of standards as a starting point when determining the scope and quality of action to be taken. The degree to which the standards can be met in practice will depend on a range of factors, including access to the affected population, the level of cooperation from the relevant authorities and the level of insecurity in the local context. Limited capacity and resources of those working in child protection, combined with urgent and fast-changing child protection needs, is likely to necessitate prioritisation of some standards above others, or a phased approach to meeting the standards. Another consideration is that if child protection was extremely weak in a context prior to an emergency, it may not be realistic or appropriate to try and meet the standards in the response phase. Finally, some standards may simply have limited relevance in the local context. There may therefore be important reasons why at times it is not possible, or advisable, to meet all the standards. Where the standards cannot be met, however, they still apply as an agreed universal benchmark, and they can be used for example to articulate eventual or aspirational goals for child protection. Used in this way, the standards may enable humanitarians to highlight gaps in the scope or quality of the child protection response, and the investment or conditions required to close these gaps. An emergency may highlight challenges the response, but it may also be an opportunity to make changes immediate or more gradual that strengthen child protection for the longer term. )#

18 How do I use the standards in my context? In order to be properly used, the standards need to be adapted to the relevant context. They also need to be disseminated and promoted so that all those with a role in child protection can refer to them. Adaptation should not be understood as an opportunity to reset the level of child protection that each standard applies, and the one sentence standard should not normally be changed. In order to attain each standard, however, it may make sense to prioritise key actions, and adjust or remove others or add new ones. The guidance notes may be helpful in this exercise. Additionally, the indicators and targets may need to be adapted or reset wherever possible, a clearly signalled intention eventually to aim for the original target, or a higher one. The following are some suggested ways to adapt and promote the standards in your context: child protection work in your context actions and measurements, and, where targets need to be lowered, agree on subsequent steps to promote eventual attainment of the original target including inter-agency coordination mechanisms insert the relevant standards into their processes preparedness plans, response plans, and the tools used to monitor implementation new to the response promote the visibility of child protection issues. The event could be focused topic (such as a mother s day celebration or the issue of a new report about humanitarian issues in the context) makers and spokespeople working in different aspects of the humanitarian response ))

19 workers and other humanitarians as faith leaders and role models for children on the standards, thinking about how to reach adults and children with disabilities level of awareness and use of the standards in your context. At what stage of humanitarian action do the standards apply? The standards aim to strengthen all stages of humanitarian action. The key actions in each standard are divided into preparedness actions and response and early recovery actions. In situations where there has been nil or minimal preparedness, preparedness actions should be considered alongside the response and early recovery actions. limited guidance and learning to date on combining DRR and child protection actions. It is expected that DRR considerations will be more fully included in future versions of the standards. )!

20

21

22 Principle 1: Avoid exposing people to further harm as a result of your actions Those involved in humanitarian response must do all they reasonably can harm, in particular the risk of exposing children to increased danger or abuse of their rights. In addition to the guidance provided in the Sphere handbook, the following should be considered. addressed were handled previously by children, families, the community and the authorities; Analyse existing relations between children and adults and between different of interest; Gain a full understanding of the expected behaviours and social norms for girls and boys of different ages, and take this into account when planning interventions, including timings, transportation and sanitary arrangements; Promote meaningful and safe child participation in programme planning and evaluation so that the views and interests of children, as well as those of adults, can be determined; families for example separated children or ex-combatants as this may incentivise separation or recruitment; consent for children, and ensure that interventions are carefully planned to respect privacy; Set up and adhere to Child Safeguarding Protocols, including procedures for reporting and addressing suspected infringements. )&

23 Principle 2: Ensure people s access to impartial assistance Ensure that humanitarian assistance is available to all those in need, particularly those who are most vulnerable or who face exclusion on political or other grounds. Assistance is provided without discrimination and is not withheld from children in need or their families and caregivers, and access for humanitarian agencies is provided as necessary to meet the standards. In relation to this principle, a central consideration for child protection workers and other humanitarians is the need to identify pro-actively those children who may be inadvertently or deliberately excluded from interventions. Girls or boys of different ages may be less able to access child protection or other services. Some children may be excluded because of their social circumstances, including domestic duties (including care of other children and of sick or elderly adults), their working hours, their mobility or disability or their care arrangement (for example if they are in residential care or in a childheaded household, or if one or more of the adults in the family has died or left the family in search of work). Child protection interventions need to use innovative and creative ways to reach these children, who are often those most in need of protection. Child protection workers and other humanitarians need to respond quickly when patterns or these children and their families and communities, adjustments should be made to interventions to maximise access for these children. )'

24 Principle 3: Protect people from physical and psychological harm arising from violence and coercion Children are protected from violence, from being forced or induced to act against their will, and from fear of such abuse. Although the primary responsibility to protect children from harm rests with government, all child protection responses should seek to make children more secure, facilitate children s and families own efforts to stay safe, and reduce children s exposure to risks. Principle 4: Assist people to claim their rights, access available remedies and recover from the effects of abuse Children are assisted to claim their rights, through information, documentation and assistance in seeking remedies. Children are supported appropriately in recovering from the physical, psychological and social effects of violence and other abuses. Children are rights-holders. Child protection workers and other humanitarians must ensure that wherever possible, interventions support children in claiming their own rights, and support others such as parents and carers in claiming children s rights on their behalf. This includes the promotion of birth registration and efforts to secure or replace lost documents. It also includes enabling children to access remedies such as legal redress at local, national or international levels. Finally, it includes supporting children to claim entitlements under law, such as inheritance or restitution of property which may be an important factor in children s ability to protect themselves, and to claim other rights. )(

25 Principle 5: Strengthen child protection systems In humanitarian settings, the people, processes, laws, institutions and behaviours that normally protect children the child protection systems may have become weakened or ineffective. However, the response phase may provide an opportunity to develop and strengthen national child protection systems, including community-based systems. The following considerations may be helpful in ensuring that humanitarian interventions, as far as possible, rebuild and strengthen elements of the prior or potential child protection system at national and community levels (see also next section on strengthening children s resilience in humanitarian action). Identify and build on existing capacities and structures. Avoid the creation of parallel structures, such as agency-based staff that replace or bypass government- or community-employed social workers. During the response, build the capacity of national and state-level authorities as well as civil society. In some contexts it may be more effective and appropriate to channel support to the more informal parts of the child protection system, such as families and community-based child protection mechanisms. Ensure and systematize representative participation of the community, including meaningful participation of children, in analyses, planning and evaluations. Link and coordinate with others working on child protection and related issues. Each actor will have different strengths and opportunities in relation to strengthening the overall system. Try to generate interest in, and commitment to, this shared goal. Prioritise local ownership of child protection interventions wherever possible. Engage early on with development actors and processes to plan the transition investments, newly established national agendas or other opportunities to extend and intensify efforts to strengthen the child protection system. In some contexts, an armed force or group or non-state actor may be the de facto authority. Where relevant, possible and appropriate, neutral and impartial organisations with the right expertise can discuss child protection issues with such groups, including the legal obligations of the group in relation to child protection, and their role in the practice of child protection.!*

26 Principle 6: Strengthen children s resilience in humanitarian action Although children are often portrayed as passive and dependent, they are naturally active participants in their families and communities. Before a crisis, many children have family responsibilities, take their own decisions, and may be leaders in their schools or peer groups. During crises, children attempt to cope with the added risks and pressures that emergencies bring by problem solving or obtaining support from others, including family members and others such as peers or religious leaders. How successful children are in addressing and coping with their situation depends on the pattern of risks and protective factors in their social environments, and also on their internal strengths and capabilities. Vulnerability arises when a child faces multiple risks and has few protective factors, such as living with a caring parent, having supportive friends, and having good skills for seeking help. Resilience arises when a child has more protective factors than risk factors. Similarly, children with strengths such as good problem-solving skills are often able to navigate the crisis environment relatively effectively, and to make decisions that support their wellbeing and that of their families. From this standpoint, the task of child protection programming in emergencies is to strengthen protective factors that reinforce children s resilience, and to deal with those that expose children to risk. In designing programmes that strengthen resilience and deal with threats, and which support positive relations between children, families, and communities, the following questions are relevant: Are programmes accessible to all children, and do they build on and reinforce children s skills and strengths? Consider the characteristics of example, their age, ability, ethnic background, language, sex, health, mental health, religion, and so on). Do programmes involve those close to children, and reinforce supportive relationships between children and their parents, caregivers, peers and other important people? Consider the characteristics of children s family relationships and other close relationships (for example, care arrangements, close and supportive family environments, positive relationships with peers and teachers, and so on).!#

27 Do programmes strengthen the structures, practices and services that help to protect children in the community? Consider the roles, skills, accessibility and regulation of community leaders, groups, institutions and services. For example, identify aware and active leaders, relevant information about child protection risks, accessible and child-friendly health centres, skilled and available social workers, and so on. children s lives and circumstances? Consider the legal context and the culture and how these affect children s safety and wellbeing (for example, laws and policies, regulation practices, economic activities, cultural and religious beliefs, structural inequalities, and so on). Do programmes tie all of the above elements together and take a consistent approach? Consider the relationships between children, other children,!)

28 STANDARDS

29

30

31 STANDARD 1 COORDINATION +,-./-0/11# Coordination helps to make sure that child protection responses are prioritized, protection to agree on a shared set of objectives and division of labour. In doing so, it can help create an inter-agency or multi-sectoral response that strengthens the national or community-based child protection system in the long run. Poor coordination can reduce the effect of programming and may even result in harmful programming for example, programming that weakens family or community protection structures, or which responds only to certain risks to which a child may be exposed, while continuing to leave them exposed to other risks. the organisations or government departments that have been agreed or designated as responsible for meeting the coordination function. Other key actions relate to the members of the coordination mechanism (and this is likely to include lead agencies). This does not mean they have to be formal members for these actions to be relevant: their scope includes all those organisations that are active in the context and which therefore have a duty to ensure their actions are coordinated with those of other actors, and for which the coordination mechanism provides this opportunity. Standard Relevant and responsible authorities, humanitarian agencies, civil society organisations and representatives of affected populations and timely response. Key actions PREPAREDNESS Assess existing coordination mechanisms and determine how issues of humanitarian child protection interventions can best be coordinated, including with local civil society; identify a lead for child protection coordination; identify the latest available statistics on child protection issues and, if possible, agree on priority child protection concerns (for example family-!&

32 +,-./-0/11# based care, child wellbeing, the worst forms of child labour and violence) develop a joint preparedness or contingency plan, building on existing (community and other) structures as well as lessons learned from previous emergencies, and make sure that preparedness actions (such as staff training, translation of tools, creation of MoUs and stockpiling) are completed and up to date; ensure that the child protection rapid assessment has been adapted to the translate and adapt key inter-agency tools such as WWWW ( Who does What, Where, When ) tools, child protection monitoring tools and performance monitoring tools; identify and prepare staff who can take up national and sub-national responsibilities in terms of coordination and managing information; lobby to develop child safeguarding policies by agency, as well as interagency child safeguarding cooperation; prepare child protection messages addressing likely protection risks for children (separation, sexual violence, psychosocial support, injury, etc.) and agree on a strategy to share and use them in the event of an emergency (see Standard 3); advocate for the importance of coordinating funding for child protection; ensure inter-agency child protection and coordination training is carried out; set up internet platforms and mailing lists; identify sources of information and data on child protection issues and, if possible, establish a baseline data set for child protection; and where necessary, translate these standards, and disseminate them widely. RESPONSE (LEAD AGENCY) Build on pre-existing coordination structures, including those in government and civil society; appoint a national-level coordinator, sub-national coordinators and information management staff as necessary; assess the needs for establishing local coordination mechanisms; promote the involvement of local civil society in terms of coordination (for example, local non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs) and community leaders as well as government and local authorities where appropriate; establish to what degree participants have a mandate to take decisions on behalf of their organisation, authority or group; develop objectives and terms of reference for the national coordination mechanism; clarify division of responsibilities and means of coordination with other groups (for example, areas of responsibility may include protection, gender-based violence, psychosocial interventions, mine action, education, economic recovery, etc.);!'

33 initiate and oversee the development of an agreed, inter-agency strategic response plan for child protection that builds on existing structures and capacities, and agree common indicators for this; initiate and oversee the process to develop agreed performance systems, including a WWWW tool, to track progress towards objectives set out in the strategic plan, and systems to monitor the quality of interventions in relation to these standards; set up common tools for joint communication and to support coordination, ensure the most relevant standards in this handbook are available to members of the coordination mechanism in the appropriate language(s), initiate inter-agency rapid assessments as required (with situation or context analyses in later phases) and establish joint ongoing child protection monitoring systems; lobby decision-makers in government and the humanitarian system in-country to ensure that child protection priorities are included in strategic planning and fundraising processes; advocate on behalf of the members of the coordination mechanism on urgent issues arising, such as access to affected children, or government policy in relation to care, adoption, or other priorities; use information from the WWWW tool, rapid assessments, situation or context analyses and ongoing child protection monitoring to prioritize interventions, identify gaps in the response, and ensure that these gaps are dealt with; and identify gaps in the capacity of the humanitarian workforce to address child for the collective as required. +,-./-0/11# RESPONSE (COORDINATION MECHANISM MEMBERS) Consider co-leading or leading the coordination mechanism at the national or sub-national level, or providing leadership, training or technical assistance to the membership of the group on your organisations areas of expertise; take an active part in strategic planning and sign off on the common strategic plan as soon as possible; organise and take part in joint or coordinated assessments, avoiding single- orient programming; share information on planned and current programming, including progress against agreed targets, and challenges; share information on current funding for child protection programming and make sure that all funding received is documented in OCHA s Financial Tracking Service or another relevant inter-agency mechanism for tracking funding; of priority needs, division of labour, agreed indicators, and a common performance monitoring system to track progress against objectives;!(

34 +,-./-0/11# agree procedures for addressing shortcomings in programme quality or monitoring system; identify pro-actively any duplications, inconsistencies or gaps in the response, and work with others to ensure these are addressed quickly; make sure that agency staff, partners and other relevant actors have access to these standards in their language(s), and that they have access to the training and technical help they need to apply them in their programmes; adapt, test and disseminate child protection messages (see Standard 3); set up agreements with other child protection actors for referrals or common advocacy; agree shared rates of pay or incentives for child protection workers; keep to agreed policies in relation to the media (see Standard 3); share relevant resources using the coordination mechanism; raise relevant child protection concerns with the protection sector or other sectors; and develop a coordinated strategy for building capacity of child protection workers. MeasuremenT OUTCOME INDICATOR 1. A documented strategic plan for the child protection response has been agreed by relevant and responsible authorities, humanitarian agencies and local civil society actors 2. Implementation against the strategic plan is regularly monitored ACTION INDICATOR 3. Terms of reference for the child protection working group exists at national level, with responsibilities 4. Child protection and coordination training were organised before an emergency 5. A dedicated coordinator appointed no later than one week after the onset of the emergency 6. Percentage of coordination mechanism members who regularly send in WWWW information 7. CP coordination mechanism satisfactory OUTCOME TARGET Yes Minimum once/ quarter ACTION TARGET Yes Yes Yes 90% 80% NOTES Some targets for emergencies which happen often, or slow-onset emergencies. (5) Timeline should each context. $*

35 Guidance notes In most contexts the government has the main responsibility for co-ordinating child protection activities, and may lead or co-lead the coordination mechanism. Where this does happen, it is likely to make the eventual transition or phase out of the coordination mechanism following the emergency simpler and more effective. In situations where it is not possible for government authorities to be permanent members of the coordination mechanism, it is the responsibility of the members of the coordination mechanism to liaise with them, as much as is possible and appropriate. Within the international humanitarian cluster system, UNICEF is responsible for the Child Protection Area of Responsibility making sure that another organisation does this. Co-leadership or leadership by another organisation altogether are possible at both the national and subnational levels. The child protection coordination mechanism at the national level usually forms part of a broader protection coordination mechanism. In contexts where a cluster system is activated, the area of responsibility on child protection is placed within the protection cluster and its coordinator(s) should work with the protection cluster coordinator(s) and other humanitarian coordination groups to make sure that the child protection response is well coordinated within the overall protection response and with all other aspects of humanitarian activity. +,-./-0/11# Allocating resources is important for coordination and managing information. Coordination mechanisms in large-scale emergencies are likely to need at least one dedicated coordinator at national level and one information management training events. Coordination at sub-national level may also involve full- or part-time staff. Coordination roles, such as coordinating thematic technical groups, organising or hosting inter-agency meetings or events, or subnational coordination, are not restricted to the lead agency and may be taken organisations to share the role of managing information with another sector, such as when addressing gender-based violence, MHPSS, or education. E7&PO2B,$%O&2N&@1+/&O%+2O/) Within the international humanitarian cluster system, the lead agency also has the provider of last resort responsibility. This means that the agency is responsible for making sure that gaps in the child protection response are dealt with. Strategies for addressing gaps include advocacy and using further resources. Gaps may be geographic but may also be thematic for instance, inadequate responses for adolescents, working children, or children with disabilities. $#

36 +,-./-0/11# There must be clear and transparent inter-agency processes for making decisions within the coordination mechanism. Decisions will include those affecting geographical zones, types of action, strategic priorities, and funding, and are made by the group. Consider having a core group for strategic planning and decision-making within the coordination mechanism. Working groups may be set up to oversee training, induction for new members, management of information, and representation in other groups, sectors or clusters. As much as possible, women should be fairly represented in the working groups. M7&.%#+,/,B%&,++"%+) Coordination mechanisms for child protection, protection, or other sectors cultural issues, such as abortion, adoption, early marriage, social perceptions of disability and sexual orientation. However, issues which are particularly political, otherwise sensitive, or which may put people at risk such as violations committed by the authorities or a member of the coordination mechanism, or information should never be shared openly in a coordination mechanism. Active measures may be required to involve local people and organisations with less experience in humanitarian responses. Strategies include reaching out to local CBOs and NGOs, reaching out as broadly as possible in terms of gender, ethnicity, religion, work focus, etc.; organising meetings in local languages; holding meetings in different organisations premises; organising meetings between different stakeholders; and producing technical materials in accessible formats. This will help create greater understanding and commitment, as well as ensuring the child protection response is sustainable and does not create parallel structures. H7&Q@2'1@R@%B%@&=PSQ) The global-level CPWG, or Child Protection Working Group, led by UNICEF and based in Geneva under the auspices of the Global Protection Cluster, is mandated to support coordinated inter-agency child protection responses at country level. Support is available in the form of personnel (e.g. coordinators who can be deployed on short notice), tools (e.g. assessment tools and training materials), and technical assistance. More information is available at Once set up, the coordination group should develop agreed processes for (1) assessing and improving the coordination of the response; and (2) monitoring the coverage and quality of the response in line with these standards and the targets agreed in the strategic plan. Online resources for doing this are available at and from the global level CPWG coordinator. $)

37 References CPWG (2009). Child Protection in Emergencies Coordinator s Handbook GBV Area of Responsibility Working Group (2010). Handbook for Coordinating Gender-Based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Settings IASC WG (2012). Cluster coordination Reference Module (4). Transformative Agenda Reference Document PR/1204/4066/7 The Sphere Project (2011). The Sphere Handbook: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response; Core standard 2: coordination and collaboration +,-./-0/11# $!

38 +,-./-0/11) STANDARD 2 Human resources Humanitarian agencies have been taking progressive steps to ensure child protection staff develop the skills and expertise needed to work on child protection in emergencies, and to ensure that all staff are safeguarding children through appropriate policies and procedures. This standard does not aim to replace standards developed elsewhere, but rather provides a focus for human resources when mobilising child protection staff and implementing safeguarding requirements. Standard Child protection services are delivered by staff with proven competence in their areas of work and recruitment processes and human resource (HR) policies include measures to protect girls and boys from exploitation and abuse by humanitarian workers. Key actions PREPAREDNESS Develop, implement and monitor a child safeguarding policy or child protection policy that applies to all staff and partners. Include references to the Secretary-General's Bulletin on the Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, the Keeping Children Safe Standards and the IASC Six Core Principles Relating to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse; ensure that all staff have signed and received orientation on the code of conduct, particularly the rules governing behaviours related to the protection of children against sexual exploitation and abuse, and including the consequences if they violate the code; train focal points and implement a monitoring and complaints mechanism within the organization; and at global level, set up a pool of standby personnel and mechanisms for rapid emergency as possible. RESPONSE Take stock of existing human resources in the context such as social workers or trainee social workers, teachers, staff of local organisations and community volunteers (such as those in faith communities), and identify $$